Forensic and Crime Science Facilities

Our Forensic and Crime Science Department here at Staffordshire University has a vast range of equipment that our students have the opportunity to use, not only during their practical sessions, but also in their individual final year research projects. In our Analytical Suite we have a comprehensive selection of analytical equipment, and as well as these analytical instruments we also have an extensive collection of equipment used for the criminalistic aspect of forensic science. Click here to view some of the virtual tours of the Crime Scene House and other facilities.

A crime scene scenario will be used to show the range of equipment we have here at Staffordshire University and also to show how they may be used to facilitate forensic investigations.

Miss Iona Stetson, aged 23, was found dead in the living room of her house by her flatmate, Miss Jemima Cardington, aged 24, at 9am on 3rd November 2005. There was no evidence of forced entry, but there were indications of a violent struggle, with a broken champagne bottle, blood patterns and overturned furniture all evident at the scene. There was also some evidence of possible drug use, with drug related paraphernalia found in both the kitchen and Miss Stetson's bedroom. The crime scene was photographed and documented, and all potential pieces of evidence were collected.

The following pieces of evidence were collected from the scene:

From the living room:

LMW-1: Glass fragments and remainder of part smashed champagne bottle, green in appearance.
LMW-2: Document, writing in the apparent nature of a suicide note
LMW-3: Black ballpoint pen, with the brand name 'Tipper'.
LMW-4: Paint fragments, with a yellow visual appearance, found on carpet under victim's left arm.
LMW-5: Bloody hand print, found on wall adjacent to victim's body.

From the kitchen:

LMW-6: Paper fold containing trace of white powder.
LMW-7: Crumpled aluminium foil, containing a trace of black residue.
LMW-8: Cigarette lighter.

From the bedroom of Miss Stetson:

LMW-9: Paper fold containing trace of white powder found in top drawer of victim's bedside table.
LMW-10: Used condom found in rubbish bin.

Outside there was also indications that a vehicle had been present, and an abandoned vehicle was recovered from a nearby car-park.

LWMW-11: Tyre impressions found in soil outside the victim's house.
LMW-12: Abandoned vehicle found in nearby car-park. White Ford Dingbat, registration number X345 67P.
LMW-13: Swabs taken from blood smears on steering wheel of abandoned vehicle.
LMW-14: Green glass fragments, found on driver's side car-mat in abandoned vehicle.
LMW-15: Black ballpoint pen, with brand name 'NibBall'.
LMW-16: Clear glass fragments, found on the car seat on the passenger's side.

To find out what analysis is carried out on the pieces of evidence click on the respective evidence numbers above. Some of the pieces of evidence are analysed in the same manner and so will direct you to the same page.

These methods of analysis are just a few techniques that you would be introduced to during your time here at Staffordshire University. As you can see there are a wide range of analytical techniques available for analysing any sample, and combining these methods can strengthen a criminal case. From this given scenario it would have also been possible to analyse the condom lubricants from the used condom using Ultra Violet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis Spectroscopy), to analyse the paint flakes using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), to analyse the victim's body fluids for the presence of alcohol and/or drugs using Gas Chromatography combined with Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS), and so on. The pieces of equipment required to carry out these forms of analysis are all available in our Forensic Science Department and our members are staff are always on hand to help you with any problems you may have. In terms of the crime scene scenario given, many of the individual pieces of evidence connect a certain individual to the crime scene, and so in combination could be used to provide a compelling case. However, it is important to realise that it is not the job of the Forensic Scientist to decide guilt or innocence, but to be able to present the evidence in a clear and unbiased manner, so the court can reach their decision.